FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Immunology / The total protein and immunoglobulin profile of equine colos...
Immunology1970; 19(6); 901-907;

The total protein and immunoglobulin profile of equine colostrum and milk.

Abstract: Thirty-six samples of colostrum and milk were collected from ponies at various intervals after parturition. Levels of total protein and immunoglobulins IgG and IgG(T) were determined. In samples collected in the first 3 hours , the total protein concentration was approximately twice that of serum protein and the immunoglobulins IgG and IgG(T) accounted for 30 per cent and 10 per cent respectively of this protein. The ratio of IgG to IgG(T) was similar to that in serum. After suckling, a marked decline in both total protein and immunoglobulin concentration occurred. In addition, the relative concentration of immunoglobulins declined. Thus, IgG and IgG(T) made up 7 per cent and 2 per cent respectively of the total protein in samples collected 9–24 hours . In all samples examined up to 33 days the concentration of IgG (γ) was approximately three times the concentration of IgG(T) (γ). Thus no evidence was found for a selective secretion of a γ immunoglobulin in equine colostrum or milk.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1970-12-01 PubMed ID: 4992198PubMed Central: PMC1455671
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the variation in protein and immunoglobulin levels within the colostrum and milk produced by ponies after birth. It was found that the ratio of these components initially resembles that of blood serum, though it significantly decreases as the amount of milk sucked by the offspring increases over time.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed at understanding the concentration change of total protein and immunoglobulins, specifically IgG and IgG(T), in the colostrum and milk of ponies following childbirth.
  • This was achieved by collecting and analysing 36 samples from ponies at various time intervals after they had given birth.

Key Findings and Observations

  • Initially, during the first three hours after parturition, the total protein concentration in the colostrum was twice that of serum protein found in the blood.
  • Of this protein concentration, immunoglobulins IgG and IgG(T) made up 30% and 10% respectively, a ratio similar to that occurring in blood serum.
  • After offspring began suckling, a significant decrease in total protein and immunoglobulin concentrations within the milk was observed.
  • 9 to 24 hours after parturition, IgG and IgG(T) comprised only 7% and 2% of the total protein in milk samples respectively.
  • A striking finding was the constant concentration ratio of IgG to IgG(T) at around 3:1, even up to 33 days after parturition.
  • No evidence was found to suggest a selective secretion of γ-immunoglobulin in equine colostrum or milk.

Implications of the Research

  • This research reveals valuable information about the nutritional transformation across different stages of milk production in ponies.
  • The findings particularly provide an understanding of the immunoglobulin concentration variation, an essential factor affecting the immunity offered by the milk to the newborn.
  • This could further contribute towards nutritional planning and disease management in equine husbandry.

Cite This Article

APA
Rouse BT, Ingram DG. (1970). The total protein and immunoglobulin profile of equine colostrum and milk. Immunology, 19(6), 901-907.

Publication

Immunology
ISSN: 0019-2805
NlmUniqueID: 0374672
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 6
Pages: 901-907

Researcher Affiliations

Rouse, B T
    Ingram, D G

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
      • Colostrum / analysis
      • Female
      • Horses
      • Immune Sera
      • Immunodiffusion
      • Immunoelectrophoresis
      • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
      • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
      • Lactation
      • Milk / analysis
      • Pregnancy
      • Proteins / analysis
      • Rabbits

      References

      This article includes 20 references
      1. Cebra JJ, Robbins JB. Gamma-A-immunoglobulin from rabbit colostrum.. J Immunol 1966 Jul;97(1):12-24.
        pubmed: 4162438
      2. Rockey JH. Equine antihapten antibody. The subunits and fragments of anti-beta-lactoside antibody.. J Exp Med 1967 Feb 1;125(2):249-75.
        pubmed: 4959973doi: 10.1084/jem.125.2.249google scholar: lookup
      3. Asofsky R, Small PA Jr. Colostral immunoglobulin-A: synthesis in vitro of T-chain by rabbit mammary gland.. Science 1967 Nov 17;158(3803):932-3.
        pubmed: 4167978doi: 10.1126/science.158.3803.932google scholar: lookup
      4. Zolla S, Goodman JW. An aggregating immunoglobulin in hyperimmune equine anti-pneumococcal sera.. J Immunol 1968 Apr;100(4):880-97.
        pubmed: 4384580
      5. Tomasi TB Jr, Bienenstock J. Secretory immunoglobulins.. Adv Immunol 1968;9:1-96.
        pubmed: 4178673doi: 10.1016/s0065-2776(08)60441-1google scholar: lookup
      6. Mach JP, Pahud JJ, Isliker H. IgA with "secretory piece" in bovine colostrum and saliva.. Nature 1969 Aug 30;223(5209):952-5.
        pubmed: 4184794doi: 10.1038/223952a0google scholar: lookup
      7. Sullivan AL, Prendergast RA, Antunes LJ, Silverstein AM, Tomasi TB Jr. Characterization of the serum and secretory immune systems of the cow and sheep.. J Immunol 1969 Aug;103(2):334-44.
        pubmed: 5803790
      8. Genco RJ, Yecies L, Karush F. The immunoglobulins of equine colostrum and parotid fluid.. J Immunol 1969 Sep;103(3):437-44.
        pubmed: 4979776
      9. Porter P, Noakes DE. Immunoglobulins in sow mammary secretions throughout lactation and their significance as anti-(Escherichia coli) antibodies to the young pig.. Biochem J 1969 Jun;113(2):6P-7P.
        pubmed: 4185495doi: 10.1042/bj1130006pbgoogle scholar: lookup
      10. Heimer R, Jones DW, Maurer PH. The immunoglobulins of sheep colostrum.. Biochemistry 1969 Oct;8(10):3937-44.
        pubmed: 4186681doi: 10.1021/bi00838a009google scholar: lookup
      11. Vaerman JP, Heremans JF. The immunoglobulins of the dog. II. The immunoglobulins of canine secretions.. Immunochemistry 1969 Nov;6(6):779-86.
        pubmed: 4188331doi: 10.1016/0019-2791(69)90284-5google scholar: lookup
      12. Heremans JF. Immunoglobulin formation and function in different tissues.. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 1968;45:131-203.
        pubmed: 4195461doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-50109-8_4google scholar: lookup
      13. BLAKEMORE F, GARNER RJ. The maternal transference of antibodies in the bovine.. J Comp Pathol 1956 Oct;66(4):287-9.
        pubmed: 13367249doi: 10.1016/s0368-1742(56)80030-1google scholar: lookup
      14. NORDBRING F. The change in total nitrogen and electrophoretic pattern in human colostrum during the first days of lactation.. Acta Soc Med Ups 1957;62(3-4):113-29.
        pubmed: 13487435
      15. LUNSFORD L Jr, DEUTSCH HF. Human milk whey proteins.. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1957 Dec;96(3):742-4.
        pubmed: 13505846doi: 10.3181/00379727-96-23595google scholar: lookup
      16. NORDBRING F. The change in total nitrogen, electrophoretic pattern and antibody titre in porcine and bovine colostrum during the first days of lactation.. Acta Soc Med Ups 1957;62(5-6):135-51.
        pubmed: 13508342
      17. FEINSTEIN A. CHARACTER AND ALLOTYPY OF AN IMMUNE GLOBULIN IN RABBIT COLOSTRUM.. Nature 1963 Sep 21;199:1197-9.
        pubmed: 14072054doi: 10.1038/1991197b0google scholar: lookup
      18. MURPHY FA, AALUND O, OSEBOLD JW, CARROLL EJ. GAMMA GLOBULINS OF BOVINE LACTEAL SECRETIONS.. Arch Biochem Biophys 1964 Nov;108:230-9.
        pubmed: 14240572doi: 10.1016/0003-9861(64)90380-7google scholar: lookup
      19. PIERCE AE, FEINSTEIN A. BIOPHYSICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON BOVINE IMMUNE GLOBULINS WITH EVIDENCE FOR SELECTIVE TRANSPORT WITHIN THE MAMMARY GLAND FROM MATERNAL PLASMA TO COLOSTRUM.. Immunology 1965 Jan;8(1):106-23.
        pubmed: 14245307
      20. SCHEIDEGGER JJ. [A micro-method of immuno-electrophoresis].. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1955;7(2):103-10.
        pubmed: 13262900

      Citations

      This article has been cited 6 times.
      1. Aoki T, Chiba A, Itoh M, Nambo Y, Yamagishi N, Shibano KI, Cheong SH. Colostral and foal serum immunoglobulin G levels and associations with perinatal abnormalities in heavy draft horses in Japan. J Equine Sci 2020 Jun;31(2):29-34.
        doi: 10.1294/jes.31.29pubmed: 32617073google scholar: lookup
      2. Hurley WL, Theil PK. Perspectives on immunoglobulins in colostrum and milk. Nutrients 2011 Apr;3(4):442-74.
        doi: 10.3390/n぀442pubmed: 22254105google scholar: lookup
      3. McGuire TC, Crawford TB. Identification and quantitation of equine serum and secretory immunoglobulin A. Infect Immun 1972 Oct;6(4):610-5.
        doi: 10.1128/iai.6.4.610-615.1972pubmed: 4117801google scholar: lookup
      4. Browning GF, Chalmers RM, Sale CS, Fitzgerald TA, Snodgrass DR. Homotypic and heterotypic serum and milk antibody to rotavirus in normal, infected and vaccinated horses. Vet Microbiol 1991 May;27(3-4):231-44.
        doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(91)90150-epubmed: 1715620google scholar: lookup
      5. Rivero MJ, Cooke AS, Gandarillas M, Leon R, Merino VM, Velásquez A. Nutritional composition, fatty acids profile and immunoglobulin G concentrations of mare milk of the Chilean Corralero horse breed. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0310693.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310693pubmed: 39298497google scholar: lookup
      6. Claus MA, Levy JK, MacDonald K, Tucker SJ, Crawford PC. Immunoglobulin concentrations in feline colostrum and milk, and the requirement of colostrum for passive transfer of immunity to neonatal kittens. J Feline Med Surg 2006 Jun;8(3):184-91.
        doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2006.01.001pubmed: 16600652google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.